Pennsylvania Act 2015-23 — MILITARY AND VETERANS CODE (51 PA.C.S.) - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES, DEFINITIONS AND RETENTION AND CERTIFICATION

Act text

Session of 2015

No. 2015-23

HB 157

AN ACT

Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in professional and occupational licenses, further providing for definitions and for retention and certification.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 7501 of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

§ 7501. [Definition] Definitions .

[As used in this chapter, the word "person" means any] The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

" Person." An individual, whether male or female, who may, have been, is now or may hereafter become engaged in the service of the United States of America or its allies as a member of the armed forces, or of the merchant marine thereof, or of any auxiliary thereof subject to military discipline.

"Veteran." An individual who has served in the United States Armed Forces, including a reserve component and National Guard, and who has been discharged or released from the service under conditions other than dishonorable.

Section 2. Section 7502(b) of Title 51 is amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to read:

§ 7502. Retention of licenses and certifications of persons entering military service.

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(b) Renewal of license or certification following discharge.--[Any such person, upon presentation of a discharge from such service within one year from date thereof, and upon payment of the fee prescribed by law for the current renewal period only, shall be entitled to a renewal of his or her license, certification or registration in the same manner as though such renewal had been made prior to the expiration of his or her last preceding renewal, as though all intermediate renewal fees had been paid and as though all continuing education or in-service training requirements have been satisfied.] A person shall, after presentation of a discharge from service described under subsection (a) within one year from the date of discharge and payment of the fee prescribed by law for the current renewal period only, be entitled to a renewal of his or her license, certification or registration in the same manner as though:

(1) The renewal had been made prior to the expiration of his or her last preceding renewal.

(2) All intermediate renewal fees had been paid.

(3) All continuing education or in-service training requirements have been satisfied.

(c) Exemptions.--A veteran's military service, education, training and service experience shall be taken into consideration by the entities listed under subsection (a) to determine whether a licensing or certification requirement has been met by or can otherwise be waived by reason of that military service, education, training or experience. The veteran shall only be required to meet a licensing or certification requirement which has not been met by or waived under this subsection.

Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 10th day of July, A.D. 2015.

TOM WOLF